NWS Pliers... American model?

[jbmorrey]

Was looking around Chad's Toolbox website and found some NWS pliers #109-49-180, the picture shows that they are made in Germany, because it is printed on the actual tool....twice! but in the description is states "American Model" what exactly does this mean? Is it a lesser quality than the German made ones? Any ideas on this? I appreciate the help!!

James M

 

[The Muffin Man]

I believe NWS list all straight combi pliers as "American pattern" on their website to differentiate from NWS's Ergonomic series of combination pliers pictured below...

By the way, NWS's pliers are the best of the best out there. They really are a step above Snap-On, Knipex, and all others.

 

[platform389]

By the way, NWS's pliers are the best of the best out there. They really are a step above Snap-On, Knipex, and all others.

I am glad you have had good experience with them. I certainly did not with the two pair of 140-69-170 pliers I purchased.

First pair had severe handle "wobble" out of the box. So much so the cutters would "click" as they bypassed each other. Using them only made this worse.

Shipping them back under warranty would have cost as much as another pair, so I just purchased a second one in hopes they would work better. Out of the box they did indeed work better, but in a short time the handle wobble appeared again.

Since I needed a 6 inch pliers with integrated cutter for my application, I went with a Klein J203-6.

Although the Kleins don't have the excellent feature set of the NWS, the build quality is far superior. No handle wobble at all.

 

[rumb]

Yes, NWS not so super, "First pair had severe handle "wobble" out of the box. So much so the cutters would "click" as they bypassed each other. Using them only made this worse. " - same + broken tip (big photo) on 137 49 200 VDE.

I am waiting , what seller tells about warranty! Hope, it will be replaced. No NWS any more.

 

[Chuck122]

Yes, NWS not so super, "First pair had severe handle "wobble" out of the box. So much so the cutters would "click" as they bypassed each other. Using them only made this worse. " - same + broken tip (big photo) on 137 49 200 VDE.

I am waiting , what seller tells about warranty! Hope, it will be replaced. No NWS any more.

Kind of off-topic but, how did you take that picture? The quality is sick

 

[woody 73]

Now you guys are scaring me I was set on buying a pair and now you guys are giving me second thoughts...

 

[rumb]

canon 50D + EF180mm MACRO F3.5L

Actually, the quality of NWS is quite good. I used it to cut some hardened screws, steel tapes, etc. I think it's broken because it has some not smooth surface near broken tip. Looks like rust under chrome. New pliers in the shop has smooth surface on both sides.

If, seller refuses replacement, I will try to repair "wobble" and sand down good tip and broken. I like VDE handles very much.

 

[N.I.]

broken tip (big photo) on 137 49 200 VDE.

I am waiting , what seller tells about warranty! Hope, it will be replaced. No NWS any more.

How did you do that?

I did the same to my pair of Knipex side cutters last week.

However, I admit I was abusing them. I was using them to pull out a conduit clip out of timber. Grabbed it with the point and was wiggling it backwards and forwards when it went ping!

 

[rumb]

Cutting thick rubber, but inside rubber was hardened steel wire. I didn't noticed it and squeezed harder with two hands and than pop... after I cutted wire with no problem.

 

[Carves]

Yes, NWS not so super ..................................

LOL .... that excellent hi-res piccy, certainly makes 'em look junky ..

Now you guys are scaring me I was set on buying a pair and now you guys are giving me second thoughts...

I've just bought a few recently ... I would think thay are fairly good value - but then I'm not depending on them for my livelihood.

One pair of combination pliers was a bit wobbly - but not enough to worry about.

I've been spoilt with Lindstrom cutters in the past - so I opened a few NWS 134-69-160 boxes to find the "cleanest" cutting, pair,
... yeah yeah I know - stupid of me to expect electronics tool precision, from a general workshop cutter.

... and so I dont get a broken jaw tip on them - like my Knipex ... I bought a coupla, bigger, heavier duty, NWS cutters as well.

Pliers are just pliers to me ... but I am enjoying the grips and balance of the NWS. I just hope the ergonomics versions I will have to buy online ... dont disappoint.

 

[Mickey O]

By the way, NWS's pliers are the best of the best out there. They really are a step above Snap-On, Knipex, and all others.

Not even close.

 

[ADSR]

No idea about quality, but they sure look cool!

 

[The Muffin Man]

Not even close.

That's too bad you haven't had the same experiences as me, but having tried all there is out there in an environment that points out the flaws off each product (names I included above are some I've used in the past), NWS has held up the best, but to each thier own.


Rumb and Platform, the wobble issue is very upsetting. I've not seen any in the pliers I have (which include some rebranded as Felo) but I wouldn't accept it at all. Have you tried contacting NWS on the matter? I'd hope they would appreciate the feed back and more importantly take care of you.

 

[rumb]

I am just waiting answer about broken tip, not even mention about wobble.

 

[tradesmanschoice]

The wobble is a known issue with NWS pliers and that's why we don't stock them. It gets worse over time.

On the plus side, NWS pliers do perform really well, better than most other brands, just don't expect them to last forever...

Cheers,
Mark.

 

[archirelic]

I've got quite the assortment of NWS pliers in both the chrome and titan finishes and I've had them now for several years...No wobble on any of mine. Maybe a recent development?

All I know is I've had great experience with NWS pliers and would recommend them to anyone.

 

[Veto]

I too only have great experiences with NWS, I think of them as equal in quality as my Knipex pliers. No wobble or anything.

For the question about the american model, it is only on their combination pliers they have an american model as far as I know. The only difference is the design of the head, nothing structural.

Regular model NWS CombiMax (These are what I have)

American model NWS CombiMax

 

[d.mcfarland]

The ones purchased through ash at germanhandtools are the bottom picture^^^^

 

[gatewaysysop]

The ones purchased through ash at germanhandtools are the bottom picture^^^^

The ones I purchased (admittedly some time ago) are actually the top picture.

 

[fatfillup]

Haven't tried the NWS pliers. Lots of experience with Snappy and Knipex. All of it good with the exception of SO's high leverage dykes. They just don't cut well. Warrantied them and same result with the new pair. If I was buying new (which i don't anymore) I would probably go with Knipex cause the price point is less then SO.

 

[bart1]

I have had nothing but good luck with mine, although admittedly I have not abused them.

 

[quattrojon]

Now you guys are scaring me I was set on buying a pair and now you guys are giving me second thoughts...

I wouldn't be put off buying N.W.S Woody. I have been selling N.W.S pliers on my truck for the last 6 years, and I have never come across any wobble, or any other quality issues for that matter.